The Interdependency of Detroit and the Automotive Industry
Date
2021-10-27
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Abstract
Detroit, Michigan and the automotive industry have been intertwined since the automobile was invented. The success or failure of one has defined the success or failure of the other. Their intense reliance on each other became an issue when the industry and overall economy took a downturn in the late 20th century. Detroit and the automotive companies were hit hard as they could not function independently. This research will examine how the companies and city became so interdependent, the impact this had on Detroit’s culture, and the efforts being made to rebuild the two as individual entities. Detroit’s convenient location and foundation in manufacturing made it an obvious choice for companies like General Motors to settle. The influx of jobs brought a large population of African Americans to Detroit shifting the racial relations and demographics. But with the initial success of the industry and city, they seemed unstoppable. In recent years, the city has been forced to strengthen themselves against the volatile automotive industry in order to provide stability to its people. This research shows how these historical, economic, and cultural factors contribute to the past, present and future of Detroit and the automotive industry.
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Keywords
Detroit, MI, Automotive industry, General Motors, Automobiles, 2021 Sophomore Research Conference, Interdependence, Ecosystems